Culmination Week: Finals Predictions
In this article:
Culmination Week concludes on Thursday and for all intents and purposes, the 2021 season will come to a close (barring any late minute announcements). Here’s a quick look at how we see the final games of each bracket will turn out.
Red Bracket
Beaverton over Grant
Beaverton ran roughshod over Sherwood while Grant gutted out a solid double-digit win over Tualatin in the semis. With the exception of Grant’s loss to rival Jefferson, both teams come in as arguably the hottest squads in 6A. The Beavers have gotten it done by frustrating opponents with their zone defense and the inside play of
Dane Erikstrup
Dane
Erikstrup
6'10" | C
Beaverton | 2021
State
OR
, while the Generals have been killing others with their pinpoint passing and ball movement on the offensive end. The difference in styles won’t be as apparent in this game and defensively both teams will likely trot out their zone defenses. This game will be as competitive as it gets and expect a dogfight. In the end, the Beavers have the talented big man in Erikstrup and we feel he’s going to be the difference maker for a Beaverton win.
Blue Bracket
Jefferson over Clackamas
With these two teams you are talking about the pre-season #1 and #2 squads going into the season so it seems like good karma they meet here. The Democrats easily dispatched of Mountainside in their semi, riding the backs of stars
Lamar Washington
Lamar
Washington
6'4" | CG
AZ Compass Prep | 2022
State
#128
Nation
AZ
and
Marquis Cook
Marquis
Cook
6'6" | SF
AZ Compass Prep | 2023
State
#6
Nation
AZ
but also getting some timely contributions from
Brandon Hopson
Brandon
Hopson
6'0" | PG
Jefferson | 2021
State
OR
and
Trejon Williams
Trejon
Williams
5'11" | PG
Jefferson | 2022
OR
. Clackamas gritted out a hard-earned victory over Jesuit in overtime, as usual getting contributions from all of their experienced seniors and junior
Jackson Jaha
Jackson
Jaha
6'1" | SG
Clackamas | 2022
State
OR
. Can the committee outshine the stars in this final? It’s going to be a very tough and physical game for sure. Clackamas will need to really try to control the boards and do their best job defensively on Washington and Cook. But in the end, it seems that the star power may end up being the difference and we’re picking the Demos to finally pull it out in the end in a fairly close game.
Green Bracket
Westview over Wells
It’s been an up and down year for the Wildcats but things are coming together here late for head coach Mike Wolf and his crew. Wells has had an outstanding year and head coach Craig Cokely has really seen their young players step into the spotlight and shine. As great as the Guardians young guards are in
Nick Digiulio
Nick
Digiulio
5'9" | PG
West Linn | 2024
State
OR
and Jacey Canalin are, Wells lacks size to combat the likes of Wildcats seniors
Aiden Grady
Aiden
Grady
6'7" | PF
Westview | 2021
State
OR
and
Brady Grier
Brady
Grier
6'5" | SF
Westview | 2021
State
OR
. And especially without
Leo Sewell
Leo
Sewell
5'9" | PG
Wilson | 2022
State
OR
available to play, it’s hard to see Wells matching up with Westview in this one. Wildcats win by double digits.
Black Bracket
Tigard over Sunset
Both Sunset and Tigard haven’t been particularly challenged in the Black Bracket and have easily cruised to the finals. The teams met earlier in the year at Sunset with the Apollos coming out with the 71-67 win. This time though it’s on the Tigers turf where they have been riding a four-game winning streak. It will be the seniors last game at Tigard which adds extra emotion to things and look for that to be the difference for the Tigers capturing the Black Bracket title.
